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6 SheetsSheet 1.

(No Model.)

A S KROTZ CONVEYING APPARATUS. No. 603,607.

' Patented May 3, 1898'.

, uwewtoz g/ww vwmu-u'rwo" WASHINGTON a c (No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 2.

A S KROTZ CONVEYING APPARATUS.

No. 603,607.. Patented May 3, 1898.

lttoz@ n: Nunms FEVERS co. PNBYO-LITHO. wnsamuron n c (No Model.)

' 6 SheetsSheet 3. A. S. KROTZ. CONVEYING APPARATUS.

Patented May 3,1898.

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

A S KROTZ CONVEYING APPARATUS.

No. 603,607. Patente d May 3, 1898.

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5. A. s. KROTZ. CONVEYING APPARATUS.

Pa-tented May 3,1898.

. N NN Win mow (No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 6.

A. s. KROTZ. CONVEYING APPARATUS.

No. 603,607. Patented May 3,1898.

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE,

ALVARO S. KROTZ, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGN OR TO OLIVER S. KELLY,

OF SAME PLACE.

CONVEYING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,607, dated May 3, 1898. Application filed February 5,1898. serial No. 669,231. (No model.)

To all 'whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALVARO S. KROTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveying Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to conveying systems, and although capable of embodiment in a multitude of ways in various connections. it is particularly adapted for use in store-service apparatus for conveying parcels from place to place, as from the counter where the salesman is located to the cashiers stand, where the goods are wrapped and-change is made, the money for the goods being trans- 2o mit-ted to the cashiers stand with the parcel.

I have said that the invention is particularly adapted for use in store-service apparatus because I have found this to be the case in actual practice, but I contemplate its em- 2 5 ployment in many other connections, and

hence do not desire to limit myself in any way to the embodiment of the invention in any one form of apparatus or for any one particular purpose.

The invention is intended largely as an improvement upon certain prior constructions of store-service apparatus, and particularly those illustratedin Patents No. 544,002, dated August 6, 1895, and No. 57 8,939, dated March 5 16, 1897, both granted to H. M. Neer. These patents disclose the general idea of a storeservice apparatus in which a conveyer or carriage is caused to traverse a track and to pick up receptacles, carriers, or baskets at vari- 0 ous points or stations along the track and to leave such receptacles at their proper stations after having been delivered at a receiving-station and again picked up thereat, the

transfer of the receptacles between the conveyer and the holders at the various stations being effected automatically by means of suitable stop and trip'devices- These patents also disclose the idea of an elevator located at each salesmans station for supporting the receptacle, basket,-or carrier and raising and lowering the same, the lowering being efiected automatically by gravity when a receptacle has been deposited in the elevatorgfrom the conveyer, the latter in passing operating trip mechanism to release the elevator. I am also aware that some years prior to the issuance of the said Neer patents there was disclosed in Patent No. 338,663, dated March 23,1886, and granted to G. F. Green, the general idea of a store-service apparatus in which a carriage reciprocates on the track in contradistinction to its traveling round and round, as in the Neer apparatus, and a plurality of stations occur along the track, where receptacles are suspended when it is desired to have them picked up by the carriage, the

latter being equipped for supporting and conveying any number of the receptacles to a receiving-station and there delivering the same, and also adapted to return the receptacles and deliver them at their respective stations after they have been replaced on the carriage at the receiving-station. In a still earlier patent, No. 338,224, dated March 16, 1886, and granted to said G. F. Green, there is disclosed the general idea of a car or carriage reciprocating upon a length of track and carrying a receptacle for parcels and cash, with provision for lowering the same to remove the parcel and cash or for other purposes either at the different stations where the salesmen may be located or at the receivingstation. With full knowledge of this prior state of the art I have in evolving the present invention endeavored to utilize elements of the apparatus shown in these prior patents, while avoiding certain objectionable features, and to so combine the useful and es sentialelements with certain new elements as to produce a thoroughly practical result.

' While it is true I employ a number of elements which may be considered the equivalent of corresponding elements used in the constructions which are disclosed in the patents hereinbefore referred to, yet my invention difiers essentially from the disclosures in these prior patents in novel combinations of parts whereby defects discovered in apparatus constructed in accordance with said pyrior patents are entirely obviated.

i l l '5 represents a plan view of. the same.

My invention involves novelty in the combination of parts whereby the receptacles are transferred between the conveyor andthe holders at the various stations, absolute certainty being insured that the receptacles will be properly transferred without possibility of accident to any portion of the apparatus, and this is accomplished without undue complication of parts, and the number of parts is reduced to the minimum by so constructing and arranging them that their functions are multiplied.

While certain of the general features of the present invention are, as above stated, disclosed in prior patents, yet the evolution of the present invention is believed to make possible for the first time the practical application of those general features in a great variety of industries, opening up much broader fields for the utilization of an automatic conveying apparatus than could possibly have been contemplated by prior patentees. The form in which I have embodied the general features of a conveying system of the character shown in the prior patents mentioned will readily suggest their practical application in various other connections than for store-service-as, for example, in apparatus for conveying commodities from place to place in workshops and factories, in excavating and dredging operations, and, in fact, in any connection where a load is to be carried from place to place and deposited ordischarged at a receiving-station. In the present application I have indicated only a limited number of modes in which the invention is capable of embodiment; but it will be understood that I do not propose to confine myself to a limited application of the invention, and therefore the appended claims, which recite what I consider its essential elements, are intended to cover the broad application of the invention in any connection where it is applicable.

The drawings which accompany and form part of this specification illustrate a number of forms of embodiment of the invention.

Of said drawings, Figure 1 represents a general perspective view of a complete apparatus. Fig. 2 represents the conveyer in perspective and detached. Fig. 3 represents the framework at the receiving-station in perspective. Fig. 4 represents an elevation of this framework, together with a portion of the track, and the conveyer as it appears in passing through the receiving-station. Fig. Fi 6 represents a perspective view of the fiXtlll e at one of the salesmans stations and its appurtenances, together with the elevator in its raised position. Fig. 7 represents a side elevation of the same parts, together with part of the conveyer and one of the baskets, illustrating the manner in which the latter is picked up by the conveyer. Fig. 8 represents in perspective a modified arrangement of stop and trip devices for effecting the automatic transfer of the basket between the conveyer and the elevator. Fig. 9 represents a sectional elevation taken on line IX IX of Fig. 8 and looking in the direction of the arrow crossing this line. Fig. 10 represents in perspective another modification of these devices. Fig. 11 represents a fragmentary elevation of the same. Fig. 12 shows a modified form of receiving-station in side elevation. Fig. 18 is a detail of trip devices employed at this receiving-station.

The invention may be embodied in a system where the track is continuous, extending over the cashiers desk or over a suitable stand where wrapping is done or where change is made, the track thence extending on an incline at each side until the desired elevation is attained,'and thence horizontally from the -top'of one inclined section to the top of the other. Such a system is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 1, and the letters a and co designate, respectively, the outer and inner rails composing the track and angular in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 6, said rails being supportedin any suitable manneras, for example, by hangers suspended from the ceiling of the room in which the apparatus is erected. 1n the drawings, the letter I) designates the stem of such a hanger, and b a yoke secured to the lower end of the stem and to the track-rails, on the outer sides of the latter, with properly-interposed insulation.

The carriage or conveyer, which travels upon the above-described track and is intended to remain constantly thereon, is of the following description, reference being had more particularly to Fig. 2: It comprises a pair of rails 0, each tapered at both ends on the upper sides, as shown at c, and turned inwardly at one end and tapered on the outer side also, as shown at c. The said rails are connected near their ends by cross-rods c and at intermediate points by arches c and c of skeleton construction, which constitute, respectively, the bases for a trailer and a motortruck. The latter comprises a suitable frame 61, having a pendent journal at engaging a vertical bearing upon the arch a a shaft (1", journaled in suitable bearings on said frame and carrying within the latter an armature d and outside the frame a pair of wheels d which run upon the track, the said wheels being preferably rubber-coated and their body portions being composed of hard fibrous material. Field-coils d are supported at opposite sides of the armature in arms d projecting from the frame of the motor, and to one of said arms there is secured a cross-piece carrying curved spring-arms d", which support brushes 61 the latter bearing against the inner surfaces of the track -rails. These brushes are suitably wired to the commutator, which is arranged at one side of the frame d,

and the said commutator is suitably wired to the field-coils (1 The brushes d conduct the electric current from the track-rails, and thence the current passes through the motor in a well-known manner to drive the wheels d and propel the carriage along the tracks in an obvious way. The lower forward arm 01 of the motor-frame carries a bracket e, on the outer ends of the arms of which there is journaled a pair of rollers e, which by contact with the inner surfaces of the track-rails properly guide the motor around the track, insulation being appropriately interposed to prevent these rollers acting as conductors of electricity to drive the motor. Further guiding means are provided in the form of blocks of insulation e secured to the sides of the motor-frame and shouldered so as to extend over the inner sides of the track-rails and also underneath the same to prevent the motor from jumping the track.

The trailer hereinbefore referred to comprises a frame f, having a pendent journal which engages a bearing f, which in turn is journaled in the frame a the said journals being at right angles to each other with the object of compensating for irregularities in the track without causing the rails of the carriage to be appreciably affected. The trailerframe f is formed with upright bearings for a shaft f which carries wheels f to run upon the track-rails, these wheels being of corresponding construction to the wheels of the motor. Armsj, which depend from the frame f at opposite sides of the same, carry blocks of insulation f shouldered to extend under the inner sides of the track-rails and also over the lower sides of the'same to properly guide the trailer and also to prevent the same from jumping the'track. Further guiding means are provided by rollers f, journal ed at the outer ends and on the under sides of arms f projecting from the front side of the frame f, the said rollers running along the inner sides of the track-rails.

It will be seen that a carriage or conveyer constructed as above described is calculated to run easily around the track without any possibility of binding thereon at any point, notwithstanding the fact that slight irregularities may exist, and, moreover, ample provision is made for preventing any possibility of the carriage becoming derailed.

The other equipments of the carriage or conveyer, which will next be described, have to do with its capability of handling the has kets or other carriers or receptaclesthat is to say, taking up the same at various points and dropping them again at the cashiers stand and also returning them to and depositing them at their own stations. A shaft g is journaled in the carriage-rails c at the rear end of the latter, said shaft having affixed to its middle portion a hook-shaped arm g, which when the shaft is in its normal position bears against the rear cross-rod c depending sufticiently below the same to act against a basket or carrier which may be resting upon the rails c. A spiral spring 9 surrounds the said shaft and is secured at one end thereto, and at its opposite end is engaged with the cross-rod 0 the said spring pressing the hook-shaped arm g downwardly against said cross-rod. An arm 9 affixed to the said rock-shaft, projects upwardly therefrom and is equipped with a roller g, which by coaction with certain cam-strips hereinafter described, one of which is located at the cashiers stand and others at the various stations, produces a sufficient elevation of the hookshaped arm g to remove it from position for engagement with a carrier or basket to permit the latter leaving the carriage.

In front of the motor gravity stop-pieces h are pivotally connected with the carriagerails on the inner sides of the same, these stop-pieces having pins h, which project into the inside grooves of the rails, so as to limit downward movement of the stop-pieces, the latterbeing for the purpose of preventing a holder or basket from moving off of the front end of the carriage. At this part of the carriage there are also provided spring-strips t, which are secured to the outer sides of the carriage-rails and project therefrom for coaction with the baskets or carriers in a manner which will be hereinafter explained. At the rear end of the carriage an arm j is rigidly fastened to one of the rails c and projects upwardly therefrom, being equipped with a roller j, which coacts with parts (hereinafter described) at the different stations in connection with the delivery of the baskets or carriers.

On the inner sides of the rails c of the carriage. there are fastened strips 7t, which project somewhat below the lower edges of the rails and are composed of suitable material,

such as rubber, which will cause sufficient friction between the carriage and baskets or carriers to insure the latters being properly lodged upon the carriage and the swiftlymoving carriage properly picking up the baskets or carriers.

The form of basket carrier or receptacle here shown comprises a body portion m, of any suitable form and construction, that here shown being composed of wire network and a suitable frame of metal rods and suspension-rods m, which rise from the frame of the body portion and have rigidly connected with them rods m extending lengthwise of the basket at an elevation above the body of the same and projecting beyond the ends of the basket for the purpose of engagement with certain supports, hereinafter described, located at the various stations. On the rods we there are rigidly fastened upstanding hooks m whose horizontal arms project toward each other and are adapted to engage the upper sides of the rails .c of the carriage, whereby the basket or holder is suspended from and carried by the carriage. There are also rigidly affixed to one of the rods m upstandingprojectionsm", (see Fig. 8,) designed for coaction with certain abutments located at the particular station where the basket belongs, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The basket is provided at one end with outwardly-projecting lugs or pins m for engagement with a portion of the framework at the cashiers stand, which framework will next be described. It comprises a suitable number of U-shaped uprights a, (see Fig. 3,) a back rail 01 at a suitable elevation to properly receive the projecting ends of the rods m of the baskets when the latter are brought to the cashiers stand by the carriage, afront rail n considerably lower than the back rail 11, so as to permit the baskets being taken out and replaced readily, said front rail providing a resting-place for the pins or lugs m on the baskets, and a supplemental front rail n at the same height as the back rail n and affording a support for the projecting ends of the rods m of the baskets when the latter are put in position to be taken by the carriage and conveyed away from the cashiers stand. At about the middle of the framework on the cashiers standthat is to say, where the upper and lower front rails n and n overlap, as shown in the drawings there is arranged a stop mechanism for effecting the delivery of the baskets when brought to the cashiers stand from the various stations. This stop, mechanism comprises the following parts: In suitable guides on the outer sides of the back rail at and the front rail 12. there are arranged to slide vertically a pair of strips 11. and 02 which normally project above the said rails in the path of the projecting ends of the basket-rods m so that the latter will encounter said stop-pieces and be prevented thereby from being carried on by the carriage. Said strips or stop-pieces are connected with a rock-shaft n by means of arms n and n affixed to said rook-shaft and pivotally connected with thestrips, respectively-. Said arm n is equipped with a suitable handle n, and is connected by a spiral spring n with one of the uprights of the framework. This spring holds the stoppieces or strips normally projected above the rails n and a but by means of the handle n the stop-pieces or strips may be lowered to permit passage of the basket beyond the same, so as to rest upon the rails n and n in position to be taken by the carriage.

Then a basket is brought into the receiving-station, its front rod 12?. abuts the strips n and a as shown in Fig. 4, and the carriage passes on through, the basket dropping upon the rails n and a when disengaged from the carriage. In order to have the basket taken away by the carriage the stop-pieces n and n are lowered and the basket is pushed along beyond the same where it can be picked up, as also shown in Fig. 4, and conveyed away. Of course when one or more baskets have already been deposited in the receiving-station the next basket brought in will not come against the strips '11 and of, but against the basketin front of it. v The upward movement of the strips is limited by a projection at" on one of them coming against the under side of the guide onthe rail a Extending along just under the outside track-rail a, where the latter runs above the cashiers stand, there is a strip 9 secured to the said track-rail by means of suitable bracklets and positioned to coact with the roller g, ihereinbefore described, as part of the carriage equipment. The said strip 9 has an upturned end portion g and when the carriage runs iinto the framework on the cashiers stand the roller 9 by coaction with the said uplturned end of the strip g causes a rocking of lthe shaft 9 sufficient to elevate the hook g above the plane of the basket-rods m so that the carriage can pass on through the framework on the cashiers stand, while the ,their abutment against the stops at and M. 'The strip is of sufficient length to hold the hook g elevated long enough to insure the lcomplete disengagement of the carriage from the basket or holders.

At each of the stations where the baskets iare picked up by the carriage there is erected la tubular standard 0, (see Fig. (5,) which proljects above the track and constitutes a guide {for a vertically-movable basket holder or ele- .vator comprising a U-shaped frame 0', having suitable clips 0 loosely embracing the said standard, and longitudinal rods 0 fixedly mounted upon the uprights of the U- shaped frame and constituting supports for ;the basket, the projecting end portions of whose rods m are adapted to rest upon the i said rods 0 and the latter being provided with upstanding pins 0 near their ends to prevent the accidental removal of the basket. The basket holder or elevator is counterbalanced bya weight 0 suspended within the tubular standard by means of a cord 0, which runs over a pulley 0 mounted in bearings on the 'upper end of the standard, the said cord depending on the outer side of the standard and suitably connected with the elevator. Suitable means are provided for raising the elevator, those here shown comprising a cord 0 attached at one end to one of the clips 0 and *passing upwardly and over a pulley 0 on the standard, at the upper part of the same, the said cord depending a suitable distance for manipulation and being equipped with a suitable handle, knob, or button. The weight 0 exactly counterbalances the elevator, so that the latter will remain in any position to which it is brought; but when a basket or holder is deposited in the elevator the counterbalancing-weight is overcome, so that the elevator lowers, and to prevent shock in the lowering ,of the elevator with the basket any suitable cushioning means may be provided. That here shown comprises a cylinder 0, a pistonrod 0 having a piston 011 one end closely fitting the interior of the cylinder and a head 0 on the upper end, and a spiral spring 0 surrounding the piston-rod and bearing at one end against the cylinder and at the other l against the head 0. When the elevator lowers, a flattened projection or foot 0 formed baskets are left in the latter by reason of upon the frame encounters the head 0, and a cushioning effect is produced in an obvious manner.

To secure easy running of the elevator up and down the standard, rollers 0 are journaled in the clips 0 and have concaved peripheries to engage the surface of the standard on opposite sides of the same. Suitable means are also provided, such as a slot in the standard and a projection on one of the elevator-clips, to prevent turning of the elevator.

The standard 0 is fixedly connected at its upper end with one of the hangers b by means of a rod or shaft 10, and a corresponding shaft I 5 projects from the opposite side of the said hanger, and these shafts constitute supports for adjustable stop devices in the form of arms 19 having bosses 13 which embrace the rods and are adjustably secured to the same by means of set-screws p. The arms p project forward and downwardly from the shafts or rods, and at their ends have downturned portions 19', against which the projections m on the basket abut when the latter is deliv-v ered by the carriage. To prevent a rebound of the basket or carrier when such abutment takes place, guard-springs p are fastened to the under sides of the arms 19 said springs being curved in a manner to permit of their ready displacement by the basket projections, but turned upwardly at their ends, so as to form shoulders extending substantially parallel with the downturned end portions of the arms p and hence preventing a rebound of the basket after striking the downturned ends 1)". The stop-arms p are adjusted differently at the different stations, so that they will stand in the path of the projections on thatbasket which belongs at the station where these stop-arms are located. The rod or shaft 19 carries at its outer end a pendent arm 10*, having a bifurcated lower end 19", constituting a guide for the elevator, which is suitably formed at its outer side for engagement with the bifurcation of said pendent aiym. A strip g extends along below the outer', track-rail a and on either side of the hanger b, said strip being supported by brackets g", fastened to the said track-rail, and being formed at one end with an upturned or inclined portion 9'', positioned for coactionwith the roller 9 on, the carriage fora similar purpose to that here inbefore described in connection with the delivery of the baskets at the cashiers stand namely, to elevate the hook g so that it will clear the basket when the same is to be delivered at the station.

When the elevator with its basket is raised to bring the basket in position to be taken by the carriage, it is held in that position by means of a hook 3' pivotally connected at its upper end with the standard 0 and depending for engagement with a pin j on one of the clips of the elevator-frame, the said hook bemg inclined on its" under edge and spring-actuated for the purpose of automatic engagement with the pin. The said pendent hook is connected by a link 7' with one end of a horizontally-disposed lever j, which is pivoted to an arm j, depending from and fixedly attached to the shaft or rod 19, and said lever on the front side of its pivot is curved. inwardly, as shown at 7' so as to extend in the path of the roller j on the carriage, whereby the hook j may be displaced as the carriage passes and the automatic lowering of the elevator with its basket thereby effected. A spiral springj which is connected at one end with the standard 0 and at the other end with the lever 3' exerts itself to restore the parts to their normal positions, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In the operation of the apparatus the carriage traveling around on the track will pick up any one of the baskets or holders which may have been raised at any one of the stations. When so'raised, the basket assumes a position with its upstanding hooks m so located that the rails c of the carriage will pass through said hooks, but the horizontal arms of said hooks are not in as high a plane as the upper sides of the carriage-rails, and the basket is elevated by the action of the inclined upper sides 0' of the carriage-rails acting-against the under sides of the horizontal arms of the hooks, as shown in Fig. 7. The basket is not raised far enough by the elevator to bring its projections 1% into line with the=stops p, and it is evident that before the basket is raised by the carriage the said stops 001/ must be beyond the stops p; otherwise the; basket could not be carried on by the carriage. Sufficient friction may be engendered between the carriage-rails and the baskethooks which are first encountered to move the, basket forward far enough to carry its projections m beyond the stops p; but to insure this result the springs 11 are provided on the sides of the carriage-rails for pressure against the upright portions of the hooks m first encountered, so that the basket will not only be tipped up at its rear side, but will be carried forward before it is bodily elevated.

OfQcoursc the basket may be in such a position on the elevator that this last-described operation is not necessary; but, again, it is liable to rest upon the rods 0 of the elevator in such a position that the projections m on the carriage will come behind the stops p", and hence the provisions above described for insuring conveying away of the basket by the carriage. It will be understood that as the carriage comes into the station the roller g onthe carriage encounters the inclined end of the strip g and it is thereby depressed so that the hook g will be elevated and can pass over a basket which is to be delivered at the station. A basket which is not to be delivered at the station will be carried on through, as it will encounter no stops at the station. As the carriage leaves the station its roller j acts against the curved portion of the lever 7' and through the connections hereinbefore described the hook 3' is tripped, so that a basket delivered at the station will be immediately lowered to its normal position. When a basket has been taken from one of the stations in the manner above described, it is conveyed to the cashiers stand, Where the carriage runs into the framework and carries the basket against the stops n and n and passes on,lea-ving the basketin the frame. When the basket is to be carried from the cashiers stand back to its station, stops at and n are lowered by means of the handle a and the basketis moved beyond the said stops, which are again projected above the rails n and n \Vhen the carriage comes around again, it will take up the basket thus moved beyond the stops n and n in the same manner as it picked up the basket at the station, and it will then carry the basket to its own station and there deposit it. Suitable stoppins 07. project from the rails 'n and n to prevent the basket from being carried off the same without having been properly engaged with the carriage.

It will be seen that the operation of such an apparatus as above described may proceed automatically so far as the transferring of the baskets between the carriage and theholders at the various stations and the propulsion of the carriage is concerned, it being only necessary for the operators to put the baskets in positions to be taken up by the carriage in passing, and even this can be effected automatically, if desirable, as hereinafter ex plained. It is to be noted that the transfer devices are constructed and arranged with a view to certainty of operation and durability. It may be here stated that wherever there is a direct impact abutting parts will be faced with wear-proof and sound-deadening material.

Possibility of derangement of the apparatus is very slight, for the manipulations which attendants are called upon to perform are of the simplest nature, and mistakes calculated to cause accidents to the apparatus are hardly possible.

Modifications in the details of construction of the stop and trip devices whereby the receptacles are transferred between the carriage and the holders at the difierent stations are illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11.

In the construction hereinbefore described the catch on the carriagenamely, the hookshaped arm gis elevated from position for engagement with the baskets at each and every station whether or not a basket is to be left at any station. In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 a construction is illustrated which provides for the displacement of the catch on the carriage only when a basket is to be delivered at one of the stations. This arrangement comprises a lever consisting of a rook-shaft 0a, journaled in bearings on the hanger b and having affixed to it arms at and x projecting in opposite directions, the former being shouldered at its outer end on the under side, as shown at 00 and the latter being provided with a laterally-projecting pin :0 at its extremity. The arm m constitutes an abutment standing norm ally with its lower edge inclined downwardly in the direction of the travel of the carriage, as shown in Fig. 9, and the projection or abutment m on the basket which is to be delivered at its station encounters the said arm and, by acting against its inclined lower edge, elevates the arm, and consequently lowers the arm 00 The object of the shoulder 93 is to prevent a rebound of the basket after it has encountered the fixed abutment p". The catch on the carriage is in the form of a lever comprising a curved arm x extending into the horizontal plane of the pin :0 when lowered as described, so that the said arm 00 will enco unter the said pin 00 and be; depressed thereby, and comprising an arm 00 formed at its front end for engagement with a projection 00 on one of the rods of the basket. Normally the said arm a, occupies a position where it will engage the projection m and prevent the basket leaving the carriage, as clearly shown in Fig. 9; but when the basket is to be delivered at a station and the basket projection or abutment m has acted upon the arm :0 in the manner hereinbefore described the consequent depression of the armnz results in the arm :2 being elevated so as to clear the projection 00 by reason of the depression of the arm .11 by its encounter with the pin m. It will be seen that by the above-described construction it is only when the projection on the basket encounters the arm 00' at its own station that the catch 011 the carriage is displaced.

The further modification shown in Figs. 10 and 11 illustrates a construction wherein the catch on the carriageis not displaced at all, except at the receiving-station. To effect this, the stoptgprojection or abutment on the basket is notj'affixed thereto, but is in the form of an arm y, pivotally mounted upon the rod m of the basket,'so as to have a rocking movement thereon, limited by the abutment of pins y, fastened in "the said arm, against a projection 11 on the said rod. This arm 1 is connected on the lower side of the rod m by a supplemental'rod y with another arm or catch t pivotally mounted upon the rod m and formed with a rearward shoulder 11 which constitutes the abutment for the carriage-catch to act against. This catch is constructed substantially as shown in Fig. 10, the same comprising a lever composed of arms L1 and y. A spiral spring y, mounted on the rod m and fastened atone end thereto and engaged at the other end with the rod 3 exerts itself to hold the upstanding arm y in a forward positionfor engagement with the abutment p" at the station where the basket belongs. It will be seen that normally the arm y of the carriage-catch extends behind the shoulder y and prevents removal of the basket from the carriage; but when the basket is to be delivered at its station the arm '3 encounters the abutment, and there- IIO coach? freely above the arm 3 leaving the basket at its station.

It will be seen that in each of the abovedescribed modifications there are coacting catches on the conveyer or carriage and the carrier whereby the latter is kept on the car-' riage and that one of these catches is adapted to be displaced when the carrier is taken into its station. In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the catch on the conveyor in the form of a lever 00 :0 is the one displaced, whereas in the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the catch on the carrier in the form of an arm 3 is the one displaced. Again, in each modification above referred to there is an abutment on the carrier and one at the latters station, and one of such abutments is displaced by the encounter between them resulting from the incoming of the carrier. In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the abutment displaced is the one located at the station and in the form of a pivoted arm w, whereas in the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the abutment displaced is on the carrier and in the form of a pivoted arm 3 Furthermore, in each of said modified constructions the movable abutment coacts with the movable catch, so that the latter is displaced as a result of the encounter between the abutments. In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the movable abutment m being at the station and the movable catch 0:" on the conveyer, they cannot of course be connected together, whereas in the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the movable abutment 1 and the movable catch 3 being both mounted on the carrier, they can be and are connected together. However, in each case these two movable partscoact so that displacement of the abutment results in displacement of the catch.

In Fig. 8 a slightly-modified construction for holding the elevator in its uppermost position is illustrated, the same comprising a hook .e', pivot. lly mounted on the elevator and adapted tg engage a projection or pin 2, aifixed upon t 6 standard, and an arm 2 extending at an angle to the hook z and fixedly connected therewith, the said arm a being formed for coaction with a suitable projection on the carriage, as the roller-equipped arm 2 so that as the latter leaves the station to, which run on an inclined track 10 extending from front to rear of the cashiers stand.

Said frame is maintained in a position directly under the track by means of a latch 10 (shown in detail in Fig. 13,) which is beveled at its outer end, so that when the frame is pushed forward a projection 'w thereon will displace the latch against the stress of a spring 10 causing the catch at the end of the latch to move behind said projection 20 as soon as the latter has passed the catch. The spring '205 is of the spiral variety and is connected at one end with one arm of the latch and at the other end with any suitable stationary support, and this arm of the said latch is coupled by a slot-and-pin connection with a pendent lever to, pivoted to a suitable overhead support w, which may be an arm projecting from one'track-rail, and said lever 20 carries an arm 10 ;projecting-toward the track and equipped with a roller 10 against which a suitable projection on the carriage acts, so that when a receptaclehas' been deposited in the frame the latter is released and moves by gravity down its track to the lower side of the cashiers stand. When receptacles are to be taken from the frame, the cashier moves the same up the inclined rails to a position below the track, where it is held by the latch here- ;inbefore described.

" It is evident that the receptacles instead 50f being carried to and delivered at a common receiving-station, as in the previously-described forms of apparatus, may be delivered at corresponding stations to their own and simply transferred between two or more corlresponding stations. iwould be adapted for use in establishments Such an apparatus where goods or commodities are carried from one room to another or from one part of the building to another for any purpose. The itrack arrangement in such system may be i such as to provide for either round and round traverse of the car or a reciprocal traverse thereof.

It will be readily understood that the appliances hereiubefore' described in detail in connection with the parcel-carrier system are equally applicable in such a system as now indicated.

While I have shown in the drawings a track composed of two rails, it is evident that numerous modifications in this respect may be resorted to, for the carriage or carriages might be run upon a track composed of -wire stretched between suitable points, as in many cash-carrier and other systems now in use, and one or more stretches of such wire or cable or other form of track may be used in carrying out my invention, it not being essential that the car shall run upon two cables or rails.

A modification in the apparatus at the receiving-station is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 1 The frame 20, which receives the car, riers from the carriage, is mounted on rollers In the following claims the essential features of the invention are recited, and these claims are intended to embrace the embodiment of the invention in any kind of a conveying system where it is applicable.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim-as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a conveyor on said track, and propelling means; of an abutment, a carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for said carrier adapted to support the same in a position different from that it occu pies on the conveyor, the latter and the carrier having provisions for engagement when the carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to shift the carrier clear of the abutment as it is transferred to the conveyor.

2. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a conveyor on said track, and propelling means; of a pendent abutment, a carrier adapted to lodge in said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for said carrier adapted to support the same in a position lower than that it occupies on the conveyor, the latter and the carrier having provisions for engagement when the carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to move the carrier beyond the abutment as it is transferred to the conveyor.

3. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or Way, a conveyor on said track, and propelling m eans of an abutment, a carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for said carrier adapted to support the same in a position different from that it occupies on the conveyor, said holderhaving an elongated rest for the carrier and suitable stops, and the conveyor and the carrier having provisions for engagement when tho'carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to shift the carrier clear of the abutment as it is transferred to the conveyor.

4. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track or way, a conveyor on said track, and propelling means; of a pendent abutment, a carrier adapted to lodge in said conveyor in position to encounter said abutment, a holder for said carrier adapted to support the same in a lower position than it oocupies on the conveyor, said holderhavin g an elongated rest for the carrier and suitable stops, and the conveyor and the carrier having provisions for engagement when the carrier is thus lodged in the holder, to move the carrier on its rest beyond the abutment as it is transferred to the conveyor, substantially as described.

5. In a conveying apparatus, the combina tion with a track, a conveyor thereon, and propelling means; of one or 'more pendent abutments, a carrier adapted to lodge on the conveyor in position to encounter said abutments, the carrier having a plurality of projections at opposite sides, and a holder for said carrier having elongated rests or ways for the said projections-of the carrier to lodge upon, the holder adapted to support the carrier in a lower position than ,it occupies in the conveyor and the latter and the carrier having provision for engagement to advance the carrier on the ways ofithe holder to clear the abutments in transferring the carrier to the conveyor.

6. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a track, a conveyor thereon, and propelling means; of one or more pendent abutments, a carrier adapted to lodge on the conveyor in position to encounter said abutments, a carrier having a plurality of projections at opposite sides, and an elevator for holding said carrier in position to be taken by the conveyor, but in a lower position than the carrier occupies on the conveyor, the latter and the carrier having provisions for engage ment to advan co the carrier clear of the abutments in its transfer to the conveyor from the elevator.

, 7. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a conveyor traveling thereon and having a carrier-rail 'With a beveled end, a carrier adapted to lodge on said rail, an abutment for said carrier to encounter when on the conveyor, and a holder ,between which and the latter the carrier is transferred, said holder adapted to support the carrier in a different position than it occupies on the conveyor, the beveled end of the carrier-rail of the latter operating to shift the carrier from such different position, and lsufficient friction being engendered between ter to be carried beyond the abutment before it is shifted into line with the same. S. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a conveyor traveling thereon and having a carrier-rail ,with a beveled upper side at one end, a carrier adapted to lodge on said rail, a pendent abutment for the carrier to encounter when on the conveyor, and a holder between which and the latter the carrier is transferred, said holder adapted to support the carrier in a lower position than it occupies on the conveyor, the beveled upper side of the carrierrail of the latter operating to lift the carrier from such lower position, and sufficient friction being engendered between the conveyor and the carrier to cause the latter to be carried beyond the abutment before being lifted 'into line therewith.

9. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a conveyor traveling thereon and having carrier-rails with beveled upper edges at the forward end, a carrier having front and rear hooks to take over said rails and also one or more stop projections, one or more pendent abutments for i the latter to encounter when the carrier is on the conveyor, and a holder having elongated rests upon which the carrier drops when dis- I engaged from the conveyor, said rests having stop projections beyond the pendent abutments and the carrier adapted to be slid forward on said rests and against said stop projections by the engagement of the carrier- I rails of the conveyor with the rear hooks of the carrier, the beveled upper sides of the i said rails operating to lift the carrier and the conveyor and the carrier to cause the lattoo bring its stop projections into line with the pendent abutments beyond the same, sub-- stantially as described.

10. In a conveying apparatus, the combination of a suitable track or way, a conveyer traveling thereon and having carrierfails with beveled upper edges at the forward end, and outstanding spring-strips on the sides, a carrier having front and rear hooks to take over saidrails and also one or more stop prothe latter to encounter when the carrier is on the conveyer, and a holder having elongated rests upon which the carrier drops when disengaged from the conveyer, said rests having stop projections beyond the pendent abutments and the carrier adapted to be slid forward on said rests and against said stop projections by the engagement of the springstrips on the carrier-rails of the conveyer with the rear hooks of the carrier, the beveled upper sides of the said rails operating to lift the carrier and bring its stop projections into line with the pendent abutments beyond the same, substantially as described.

11. In a conveying apparatus of the character described, a conveyer or carriage comprising rails to engage and support the carriers, frames extending between said rails, a forward truck horizontally swiveled to one of said frames, and a trailer-truck horizontally and vertically swiveled to the other of said frames.

12. In a conveying apparatus, the combination with a suitable track or way, a conveyer thereon, and means for propelling the conveyer along the track; of guide-rails at a receiving-station, movable manipulative stop mechanism intermediate the ends of said guide-rails, and a carrier adapted to lodge in and be carried by the conveyer or to lodge on the guide-rails at the receiving-station by comlng against an abutment or abutments presented by the said stop mechanism.

13. In aconveyingapparatus, the combination with a suitable track or way, a conveyer thereon, and means for propelling the conveyer along the track; of horizontal guideralls at a receiving-station, vertically-movable spring sustained stop pieces adjacent said rails intermediate the ends thereof,means for depressing said stop-piecesgan a carrier adapted to lodge on and be c rried by the conveyer or to lodge on the girl e-rails at the receiving-station by coming against an abutment or abutments presented by the said stop mechanism.

14. I11 aconveying apparatus, the combination with the track, the conveyer traveling thereon, propelling means, and a carrier having means of engagement with the conveyer and also lateral projections of front and rear ralls at a receiving-station adapted to support the carrier by the lateral projections thereon, one of said rails being in a lower plane than the other to facilitate removal of the goods from the carrier, and devices,whereby transfer of the carrier between the conveyer and the station may be automatically effected.

;15. A holder or carrier for a convey ng apparatus of the characterdescribed, said carrier comprising a body portion, rods extendi ing lengthwise thereof and projecting beyond its ends and connected with the body by suspension-rods, hook-shaped projections fixed on said longitudinal rods, and stop projectiions on one of said latter rods.

jections, one or more pendent abutments for i i 16. In aconveying apparatus, the combinatiion of a track, a conveyer thereon, inclined ways extending transversely of the track at a? receiving-station, a holder on said Ways, and a spring-held catch to engage the said holder when the latter is at the high end of the ways, the conveyer having provision for displacing said catch.

17. The combination of the track, the conveyer thereon, and the receptacle or carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyer, the conveyer and carrier having stop pieces or catches adapted for engagement to prevent separation thereof and one of said catches being movable relative to the other to permit separation of the carrier and conveyer at a predetermined station; abutments being provided on the carrier and at such station one movable with respect to the other and that on the carrier adapted to encounter that at the station; and the movable abutment coacting with the movable catch to displace the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.

18. The combination of the track, the conveyer thereon, and the receptacle or carrier, adapted to lodge on said conveyer, the conveyer an d carrier having stop pieces or catches adapted for engagement to prevent separation thereof, and one of said catches being mov able relative to the other to permit separation of the carrier from the conveyer at a predetermined station, and an abutment at that station, for the carrier to encounter, provisions existing for displacement of the movable catch by coaction with the carrier.

; 19. The combination of the track, the conveyer thereon, and the receptacle or carrier adapted to lodge on said conveyer, the conveyer and carrier having stop pieces or catches adapted for engagement to prevent separation thereof and one of said catches being movable relative to the other to permit separation of the carrier and conveyer at a predetermined station; and an abutment at such station in the form of a pivoted arm normally standing in the path of a projection on the carrier and having associated with it a projection adapted to enter the path of the movable catch and effect the displacement thereof when the abutmentarm is displaced, substantially as described.

f 20. The combination of the track, the conlatter having an abutment projection; anda lever located at a station where the carrier is deposited, an'arm of said lever normally standing in the path of the said abutment projection on the carrier and another arm of said lever having a projection to efiect the displacement of the trip-lever, substantially as described.

21. In a conveying apparatus of the character described a fixed abutment-arm for the carrier to encounter, and a spring-strip fastened to the arm and extending in front of the portion thereof encountered by the carrier, said spring-strip adapted to be displaced by the latter and having a shoulder to prevent rebounding of the same after striking the 15 arm.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALVARO S. KROTZ. Witnesses:

H. E. SCHENCK,

P. O. FISH. 

